The doctor said: “Your wife has asked me to think up some new and unusual name for the baby. I suggested ‘Eris,’” he added blandly. And, after a silence: “Your wife seems to like the name.” Odell nodded: “Awright.” His wife said to the doctor, in her painfully distinct voice: “I want she should have a name that no other baby’s got.... Because--that’s all I can give her.... Something no other baby’s got.... Write it, Doctor.” Dr. Ward wrote “Eris” on the birth certificate. His expression became slightly ironical. “Eris,” he repeated. “Do you both approve this name?” Odell shrugged assent. “Yes,” said the woman. “She’s mine. All I can give her is this name. _I_ give it.” “Eris was the name of a Greek goddess,” remarked the doctor. He did not explain that Eris was the goddess of Discord. “I’m very sure,” he added, “that no other baby is named Eris.... But plenty of ’em ought to be.... Was there anything you wanted to say to your wife, Elmer?” “Hey?” demanded Odell, stupidly. Suddenly something in the physician’s eyes sent a dull shock through Odell. He turned and stared at his wife as though he had never before laid eyes on her. After a while he found his voice: “You--you’ll get better after a spell,” he stammered. “Feel like eatin’ a mite o’ sunthin’ tasty? You want I should get you a little jell ’rsunthin’--Fanny----” Her bright, sunken gaze checked him. “You ain’t asked to see the baby,” she said in her thin, measured voice; “I’m sorry I ever bore a child to you, Elmer.” Odell reddened: “Where is it----?” He stumbled up from his chair, looking vaguely about him, confused by her brilliant eyes--by their measureless resentment. For life was becoming too brief for pretence now. Fanny knew it; her husband began to realise it. She said: “I’m _glad_ I have no sons. I’m sorry I bore a child.... God forgive me.... Because I’ll never rest, never be quiet, now.... But I don’t mind so much ... if THEY will let me keep an eye on her somehow----” She tried to lift her head from the pillow: “I want to see her,” she said sharply. “Yes,” said the doctor. “I want you to see her. Wait a moment----” As he passed Odell he drew him outside. “Go downstairs,” he whispered. “I’ll call you if she asks to see you again.” “She ain’t a-goin’ to get no better?” demanded Odell hoarsely. “No.” The physician passed on into the adjoining room, where the nurse sat watching a new-born baby in its brand new cradle. Odell continued down the stairs, and seated himself in the dim sitting room....